Kenya Airports Authority

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is the statutory body responsible for the management, operation, and development of airports across Kenya. It oversees the provision and maintenance of airport infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, terminals, aprons, and associated facilities at airports such as Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport. KAA also manages safety and security services within airport precincts, coordinating with relevant agencies to protect passengers, aircraft, and airport assets. In addition, the authority develops and leases commercial spaces at airports, encompassing retail, food and beverage, parking, and cargo facilities, to support operational funding and service quality.

As a state corporation, KAA operates under the policy direction of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works, ensuring alignment with national aviation strategy. The authority is mandated to ensure that airport operations comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices concerning safety, security, and environmental management. KAA’s notable strengths include large‑scale airport infrastructure development, effective stakeholder engagement with airlines, government bodies, and local communities, and the adoption of modern airport management technologies. In February 2023, the authority experienced a cyberattack by the Medusa group that leveraged an engineer’s compromised credentials, resulting in the exfiltration of 514 GB of non‑sensitive operational data such as procurement plans, site surveys, and financial documents, causing a temporary website disruption; the authority declined to pay any ransom, reported no significant operational or financial impact, and subsequently strengthened its cybersecurity posture.

KAA is a wholly government‑owned state corporation, with its equity held by the Government of Kenya. It reports to the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works, which provides strategic oversight and receives accountability reports. Publicly disclosed information does not show any parent company or subsidiary entities distinct from the authority itself. The organisation is governed by a board of directors appointed by the government, tasked with setting policy, approving budgets, and monitoring performance.